Spinal Cord Injury

[livingwith]

In 1983 I was bucked off a horse and paralyzed from the neck down. They found a neuro fibroma wrapped around my cervical spine and up to the brain stem. I was lucky in that the paralysis gradually left in the next few months. But the nerve jerks, lack of balance, loss of equilibrium, muscle pain, has continued through the years. I have stayed active, never given up, I do fall down often. I have been on carbidopa/levidopa, amitrytilene, topamax, gabapentin. The gabapentin was working very well bu...Read the full article

[Texas]

I was a passenger in a vehicle that rolled 3 times due to road condition/weather in March of 1991. I too was paralized and thankfully after a few months I began to get back. I was 18 now I am 36 and was able to carry two healthy children. It seems the older I get the more nerve jerks, unstability and just plain more pain than I had before. Stairs are my worst nightmare. Which make its hard when your children are in sports. I never get a full nights rest because of the leg jerks. When I read your story it brought tears to my eyes because someone is going through the same thing I am. The medicines you listed I have never taken. I have not taken any meds. since the accident related to the spi. I get frequent kidney infections and I have to take for that. Do you? My kidneys were severly bruised in the mva so I often wonder is it that or the spi? I would really like to hear back from you and see how you deal with every day life. I work, try to keep with my family and you are the first person I have ever shared these symptoms with. I always try to act like everything is fine and I can keep up. I just don't know how much longer I can keep up! Do you have any advice for exercises?? Please respond back glad to find someone who knows the symptoms and the trials of my everyday life.

[anic]

Hello,

I had a spinal cord injury in 1986. Burst fracture of C7. Was thought to be complete, but with time, found to be incomplete. Less than 1/3 of the cord is intact. But I walk with difficulty due to weakness. have no balance either! I keep well otherwise and have discovered a lot of ways to look after myself with trial and errors!! Would be happy to help in anyway I can.

Anic.